L	Life as a Longhorn Playing in the Big 12 Strength Training Academic Courseload Athlete Orientation Academic Support Community Service Living in Austin Traveling Recruiting Sports Medicine Playing in the Postseason

If you come to Texas and you're still not quite sure what you want to do with your life after graduation, the academic structure helps you there, too.  Each school has a core course load which each student has to take.  Almost every school requires English, history and government, but some also require a natural science, mathematics and a foreign language.   

The biggest question I get asked is why I decided to study mechanical engineering, since most people think it's such a hard program.  But really, here at Texas, there really aren't any "easy" programs.  At some schools, you may find a lot of student-athletes who are in certain majors because it's considered "easier" than most other majors.  Any major you choose to study here, you're going to have to put in your fair share of work.  I just thought I might as well pick something that I was interested in!

Being a student in the engineering program has taught me how to manage my time and how to do things faster, such as talking to my professors and studying.  I also have learned how to ask for help when I need it, which is something a lot of student-athletes have a hard time doing because they either want to do it all on their own or don't have confidence in asking for help. We aren't really used to asking people for help, so finding people to study with and managing my time have been great learning experiences for me.  Being a student-athlete, you have to make sure that you sit down every night and work on your homework and study really hard.  Engineering, as well as volleyball, has made me realized the value of being disciplined in my schoolwork. 

Between a full load of classes - usually between 12 and 15 credit hours a week - and a full practice schedule (another 20 or so hours), we are pretty busy.  But I couldn't imagine a better place to get my education.  I'll graduate this December with my degree from one of the top universities in the country and I couldn't be more proud!!